From 1967 through the early 70’s I was influenced by the counterculture movement. I briefly lived in a commune in Santa Barbara (Boranco Nation), smoked dope and took psychedelic drugs. Patty and I moved with a group of friends to Eugene, Oregon. I wore hippie style clothes.
I fully backed the movement against the Vietnam War. Taking part in demonstrations carried the threat of “names being taken,” so that no corporate job would be possible. The threat of the draft hung over me, until my draft board in Lodi put my name in the lottery at the last minute so I wasn’t … Read more
When I was 16, lying on my back in bed, I realized that if I decided I was an atheist I would never go back. Atheism seemed natural and obvious to me. God was a willed belief. I never went back; I never doubted this conclusion.
Starting in about sixth grade I began a life-long project to figure it all out. The project went through many phases. I began with the question of god. When I was 16, I remember lying on my back in bed and realizing that if I became an atheist I would never look back. For me … Read more
In junior high I joined the Lodi Boy Scouts. The troop had little to do with merit badges and marching; it was all about camping and games. Meetings at the armory started with red-rover and dodge ball games. Then the next camping trip was planned. In the summer and over weekends we went up to … Read more
In early elementary school I planned to join the army and become a general. By sixth grade I thought I would become an engineer. I was impressed with my uncle’s stories of doing human factor engineering during WWII. In 7th grade I outlined my life plans year by year. The only thing I remember is … Read more